Preview
Creation Date
Spring 2026
Description
Trichomes are tiny hair-like structures on plant surfaces that protect the plants from insects, ultraviolet radiation, and water loss. Inside the trichome cell, there are fine, tube-like filaments called microtubules and a circular central structure, the nucleus, which is enclosed by a double-membrane protective layer called the nuclear envelope. Microtubules act as scaffolds for cells by guiding how the cell grows and differentiates. Microtubules support the nucleus in maintaining its shape during the growth and development of the trichome. Studying how microtubules and the nuclear envelope interact in the trichome branching process helps me understand plant cell shape regulation, cell division, and how to improve plant protection and growth.